the revival of conventional Korean crafts
Central Saint Martins design pupil Yejoong Choi created a collection of maximalist chairs with elaborate shapes and refined mother-of-pearl particulars. Named “Kkoch-Galam” – that means “a river of flowers” - the furnishings challenge brings new life to conventional Korean crafts, particularly lake and shell inlay, and reveals how these specialised strategies could be utilized to up to date design.
“Conventional Korean handicraft practices are actually eradicated”, says Choi. “Conventional crafts obtain a lot much less funding and a focus from the federal government than in different areas and are stored solely by a restricted variety of artisans. They’re additionally shedding client favor as they lag behind mass-produced items when it comes to performance and price. ‘ Choi’s aim is to rejuvenate these conventional crafts and assist rebuild the craft business.
Spring chair, perspective view
images by Yejoong Choi
Yejoong Choi’s butterflies on the river
Choi confer with furnishings as “butterflies on the river” as a result of their form is impressed by the silhouette of a butterfly sitting on a flower by a river. Utilizing metallic wire, the designer expresses this concept by fluid shapes that rotate across the legs and again of the chair.
The gathering additionally has a seasonal theme and every chair is called after one of many 4 seasons. Listed here are the spring and summer season chairs. The patterned shell inlay on every chair represents the flowers of flowers, typical of every season, which fall on the floor of the water. Whereas creating these ornamental patterns, Choi additionally explored the connection between conventional Korean seasonal motifs and William Morris’ floral patterns.
Spring chair, element inlaid within the shell
maximalist, emotional and conventional
Choi describes his work as an interplay between maximalist design, emotional design and conventional craft. Utilizing his maximalist ideas, the designer hopes to supply a brand new means of historic kinds. He additionally desires to make furnishings that may be produced simply and cheaply, aligning with the beliefs of modernism, whereas proposing a brand new ornamental aesthetic.
The emotional design facet is Choi’s try to inject humor into his furnishings. “I don’t design the proper chairs, however a technique that may contain many variations”, says the designer. “Emotional design, in my case, provides me richness and selection, not the common chair.”
Lastly, for the standard craft, Choi analyzed in her free time the decorative patterns and the origins of various kinds. This led him to the thought of utilizing industrial manufacturing processes to provide furnishings that’s traditionally evocative and makes use of the decor as a communication software.
Spring chair, rear view
Summer season chair, entrance view
Summer season chair, rear view
